Raksha Bandhan

Hello all,
    Today, is Rakshabandhan, as celebrated by Indians.
Name sounds funny? Well, “raksha” means security/rescue and “bandhan”
means binding. In short, it means binding love, and brotherhood.

   
On raksha-bandhan, a girl ties a “rakhi” on a boy’s hand. The boy gives a sweet to the girl. Thus, the boy
becomes the girl’s brother, signifying love, and binding a
relationship. This ingenious way of spreading peace was developed right
from the Vedic ages.

Raksha Bandhan is primarily a North Indian festival kindling the deepest
emotions of love and affection amongst the siblings. Just like all Indian
festivals, this is also celebrated with lots of verve.

The sister ties the rakhi on the brother’s wrist and both pray for each
others’ well being followed by a pledge from the brother to take care of his
sister under all circumstances. The brother then usually gifts something to
the sister to mark the occasion. Celebrated enveloped in the festivities.
The mirth that surrounds the festival is unsurpassed. Amidst the merriment
the rituals are also followed with great devotion.

The rakhis and the sweets are bought and prepared generally before the
Purnima. As per the tradition the family members get ready for the rituals
early. They take a bath to purify mind and body before starting any
preparations. The sisters prepare the thali for the poojan. It contains the
rakhi threads, kumkum powder, rice grains, diya (an earthen or a metal lamp
used for worshiping), agarbattis (incense sticks) and sweets.

First of all the offerings are made to the deities of the family. The
sister then performs the arti of the brother and ties the rakhi. She then
Tilaks (puts kumkum powder on the forehead) him and offers sweets. While
performing the rituals the Sister chants

“Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee”,

Meaning “The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its
seeds,
I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long.”

After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is
tying the ever-protective Raksha to her brother chanting:

“Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro
mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala”

Meaning ,” I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the king
of Demons,
O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.

The brother in turn blesses the sister and promises to protect her from the
evils of the world. He gifts something to her as a token of his love and
affection. The rituals may differ a little from region to region but
generally carry the same aura.

    Raksha Bandhan has established its niche in India as the first of all peace programmes. Incorporating love, family, rituals, God, and peace, this festival stands as a day of celebration, and peaceful reconcilation. It has also become a means of cementing brother-sister relationships, or rather teenage faith relationships, thus making itself a means of adorable communication.

    Now, let me wish each and every one of you, a happy Raksha Bandhan… :) Cheerio…


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August 9, 2006 | Filed Under Emotion,Literature,Philosophy, General World, World Peace | 4 Comments 

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